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levels are optimal. This practice will also improve irrigation efficiency and conserve water within the USJR and IRL watersheds by providing growers with an empirical tool to more accurately determine irrigation scheduling needs. 7.0 Individual Program Cost-Share Rates and Alternative Rates for Joint Program Participation 7.1 Cost-share funds are available through this program for each of the practices listed in section 7.2 below at the designated "program reimbursement rate". The program reimbursement rate represents the percentage of the total BMP cost to be paid through the program. Cost-share may also be available through the USDA-NRCS "Environmental Quality Incentives Program" (EQIP), and participants are encouraged to utilize both programs when possible to maximize the distribution of limited program funds. Those who choose to utilize both programs will generally be eligible to receive a higher overall rate of cost-share through a combination of the two programs. The maximum cost-share amount available from this program is $50,000 per agricultural operation (individual or business) per fiscal year. Cost- share amounts in excess of $50,000 are possible when cost-share is received from a combination of programs as explained in section 7.3 below. 7.2 Practice Title Program Cost-Share Rate Aquatic Weed Barrier 75% Chemigation Infrastructure 70% Conversion to Flash Board Riser Water 75% Control Structure Conversion to Low Volume Irrigation System 75% Grade Stabilization 75% On-Site Water Detention/Retention 70% Permanent Agrichemical Mixing/ Washdown Facility 60% Portable Agrichemical Mixing Station 60% Precision Application Equipment 60% Water Table Observation Well 75% 7.3 When EQIP funds are received to support a practice or group of practices, the participant is automatically eligible to receive program funds. In this situation, the program will pay one half of the grower's portion of the total project cost. As an example: If a grower implements an eligible practice that costs $50,000 and receives 75% ($37,500) through the USDA - EQIP, the grower is also eligible to receive a program payment which equals one half of the grower's portion of the cost or $6,250. Using this formula, growers can receive up to 87.5% of the total cost through a combination of both programs. The process of bidding down, which can be used to increase competitiveness Revised 03/21/02 6